Published 23 September 2008, doi:10.1136/bmj.a1781
Cite this as: BMJ 2008;337:a1781

Letters

Pharma and medical education

Matters arising from industry link to education

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

The recent debate on the role of industry in the continuing education of medical professionals¹ prompts the following considerations. Industry has successfully determined what professionals (will and can) learn (and otherwise) during conferences, meetings, and workshops and through sponsored sessions and the glitz and glamour that go with them. This is a major departure from the practice of scientific committees determining the academic content and programme. Professionals are therefore exposed to education that may not be required, warranted, accurate, or appropriate. Imagine if school or college education involved such practices: there would be an instant uproar.

The practice of sponsored sessions has gained considerable legitimacy through open declaration in the programmes of conferences. However, this legitimacy (or legality) does not replace the issue of whether it is ethical or moral. The latter aspect has not been considered in depth.

Industry is capable of hiring eminent speakers who deliver presentations and . . . [Full text of this article]

¹ Advanced Pediatrics Centre, PGIMER, Chandigarh, India

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